Folding scaffold ladder



Nov. 6, 1962 D. B. FITZWATER 3,062,318

.FOLDING SCAFF'OLD LADDER Filed March 6. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DONALD B. FITZWATER BY aw Nov. 6, 1962 D. B. FITZWATER 3,062,318

FOLDING SCAFFOLD LADDER Filed March 6. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 32 4a 48 l6l2 7 1 :1" a

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FOLDING SCAFFOLD LADDER Filed March 6. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 66 L '2 I:I

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DO ALD B. FITZWATER t States Pate 3,062,318 FOLDING SCAFFOLD LADDERDonald B. Fitzwater, 223 N. 13th St., Beatrice, Nebr. Filed Mar. 6,1959, Ser. No. 797,656 4 Claims. (Cl. 18227) This invention relates tofolding scaffolds and more particularly it is an object of thisinvention to provide a folding scaflold which is adapted also to be usedas an extension ladder and as a step ladder.

Heretofore various patents have been issued on devices which serve bothas a scaffolding and as a ladder, an example is the patent issued to O.E. Lindfors, titled Folding Ladder, Serial No. 801,388, issued October10, 1905.

However, as distinguished from such devices, it is an object of thisinvention to provide a folding scaffold of an adjustable height and withthe same components also providing both an extension ladder of a maximumrigidity and safety.

I achieve safety by using one section in a bridging relation withrespect to the hinges of the other section.

I also provide rigidity with one of two overlapped sections arrangedwith its longitudinal members bearing against the longitudinal membersof the other sections rather than against the rungs thereof. The latterhas been used heretofore in the Austrian patent issued to Bosch, Patent1,139,910.

A further object is to provide a four-section ladder in which thebridging or stiffening section, as described, can be used to extenddownwardly from one of the other sections in order to make possible ascaffold of adjustable height.

Yet another object is to provide a scaflold in which two sections can beplaced at an inclination with respect to the remainder of the ladder andin adjustable telescoping relationship with respect to each other inorder to make one of the inclined sections extendible to make possiblethe positioning of a scaffold a greater or lesser distance from the sideof a building.

A further object is to provide a scaffold in which the upper part isformed of hingedly connected sections arranged in triangle for morerigidly supporting horizontal scaffold boards, a part of the trianglebeing formed by a relatively strong section arranged at an acute anglewith respect to the horizontal section for providing more rigiditywhereby other means for providing such rigidity is unnecessary and theexpense of the latter is avoided.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description, drawings andclaims, the scope of the invention not being limited to the drawingsthemselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating away in which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalentprinciples may be used and structural changes may be made as desired bythose skilled in the art without departing from the present inventionand the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the ladder arranged in the position forproviding a horizontal section spaced outwardly from the side of abuilding, the building being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the ladder in position for providinghorizontal section on which a workman can stand and on which thehorizontal section is higher than in the view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the ladder substantially in the same position as FIG. 2 butwith the horizontal portion at a lesser distance from the bottom;

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FIG. 4 is a view of the flights of the step ladder showing how theladder is folded toward a storage position in which it is of compactsize;

FIG. 5 shows a frontal elevation of a clip assembly of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of the clip assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the ladder in a position for storage;

FIG. 8 shows the ladder from a side elevation arranged for use as anextension ladder;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ladder in position of FIG. 8 when theladder is laying horizontally, and as seen from the bottom of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view of the ladder in the position shown in FIG. 8 and asseen from the top;

FIG. 11 particularly showing a pair of cleats attached thereto and forthe purpose of engaging the rungs of other sections;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the ladder section of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the securing cleats of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of one of the hinges used to secure thesections together;

FIG. 15 is a view of the ladder parts in position for use as a stepladder;

FIG. 16 is a typical cross section through two of the flights of theladder illustrating the cleats for retaining the flights in assembledrelation, and with part of one of the flights broken away.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 8 it will be seenthat the ladder of this invention comprises a first flight 40 having asecondly relatively short flight 12 connected thereto hingedly at oneend of the first flight.

The hinge connection is made by means of a hinge, best seen in detail inFIG. 14, the hinge being identified by the numeral 16 and having twoparts 18 and 20* attached respectively to the first and second flights40 and 12.

The hinge sections 18 and 26 have portions 22 which extend outwardly toone side of each section respectively at those ends of the sectionswhich are disposed adjacent each other.

The outwardly extending portions 22 of each pair of sections 18 and 2%of a hinge are connected together pivotally by a suitable pin 24disposed on a side of the end sections 18 and 20.

As best seen in FIG. 9, each flight has a plurality of equi-distantlyspaced rungs 30 disposed between and connected to side rails 32.

The hinges 16 are connected to side rails 32 of the respective flightsIt 12 and 40 with one hinge being disposed on the outer side of eachside rail 32.

The second flight 12 is similarly composed of spaced rungs 30 and siderails 32.

Other hinges 16 connect the opposite end of the second flight 12 to athird flight 10 which latter is also composed of rungs 30 and side rails32.

The first, second and third flights as, 12 and it each have brackets orcleats 43 extending outwardly on one side thereof as best seen in FIG.8, the brackets 48 being secured to the side rails 32 of the respectiveflights and extending laterally and being L-shape with in-turned ends49, best seen in FIG. 10, so as to receive thereunder a fourth flight 50which latter is also composed of side rails 32 and rungs 30.

The fourth flight 50 is provided with a pair of securing cleats attachedthereto as shown at 64 in FIG. 11. The cleats 69 are elongated and areconnected to the side 3 rails 32 of the fourth ladder section 5'3 bymeans of a pin 62 extending through a hole 64 in one end of the cleat.

The opposite end of each cleat 6t? is provided with a protrusion 66 forengaging a ladder rung in a conventional manner. Each cleat is furtherprovided with an arched slot 68 for receiving a pin 73 as extends alsothrough the respective rail 32- as best seen in FIG. 11, the latter alsobeing of conventional construction.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the fourth placed alongside the first, secondand third sections and in position for overlapping the hinges betweenthe other sections and with the cleat protrusions (:6 engaging aselected one of the rungs of the first section 40. When in this positionan extension ladder is formed for reaching a considerable height and theextension ladder will be rigid and safe.

Referring now to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the fourth section 56 canbe placed opposite the first section ill as they are preferably of thesame length, thereupon the ladder can be folded as best seen by thearrow 72 in FIG. 4 whereby the first and second sections 4t} and 12respectively can be placed alongside the third section It} to put theladder in a compact, folded storage position, as best seen in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. we see in this view that the ladder is arrangedfor use as a step ladder in which the fourth section 50 is disposedalongside the third and second sections it) and 12 which latter form twosides of a triangle having the first section 46 as the other side. Asuitable safety chain 8t) can be attached to the third section 10 andthe first section 40 for keeping flights of the ladder in position.

Referring now to FIG. 1 it will be seen that when it is desired toarrange the ladder in the position for providing a horizontal sectionspaced outwardly from the side of a building ltlt), then the firstsection 46 is rested with its bottom on the ground 192 in asubstantially upright position, the second flight 12 is arranged withits upper surface horizontal, and the third flight it} is arranged in aposition extending from its connection with the second flight l2downwardly toward the first flight 4th at a substantial inclination withrespect to the vertical, providing a diagonal brace.

Suitable means are provided for securing the first flight section 59 canbe 40 to the third flight 10 at the lower end of the first flightwhereby the first flight 4d, the second flight l2, and the third flight16 form a triangle with the first and third flights 40 and 10 disposedbeneath and supporting the second flight 12. The preferred means forthis is the clip shown in FIG. 6 which comprises two members 110 ofsubstantially C'shape with their mid sections secured together by a bar112 suitably attached to the mid section of each C-shaped member 116.

The endmost rung 36 of the terminal end of the third section 10 isreceived in corresponding hook ends 116 of the C-shaped members 116 andthe hook ends 116 are fixed to the endmost rung 3G by means of pins 126which close the respective hook ends of each C-shaped member .lltl.

As thus described it will be seen that the opposite ends 130 of themembers 110 are adapted to hook about and engage the respective run 30of the first flight do which latter rung is selected in order to makethe second flight 12 be disposed horizontally.

Referring to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the cross-section or flight 50can then be placed on the underside of the third section 10 and lappingthe first section 16 with the side rails of the fourth flight 50' beingreceived in the brackets 43 of the first section 40.

As best seen in FIG. 1 the cleats 60 of the fourth flight 50 can bedisposed in engagement with a selected one of the rungs of the thirdflight it) in order to extend the upper end of the fourth flight 50 adesired distance to reach the wall 100.

Further, as seen in FIG, 1. the second flight 12 is spaced outwardlyfrom the building 1% in a position very handy for supporting a workmanas he works on an outwardly projecting cave 12d of the building 100.

Referring now to PEG. 2 it will be seen that the fourth section 50 canbe placed alongside of and overlapping the first section 43, and withthe fourth section 5i disposed in the brackets of the first sectio andextending downwardly beyond the third section to elevate the secondsection 12 to a higher position, all other flights being in the samepositions with respect to each other as in FIG. 1.

Referring to PR]. 3 an arrangement is shown which is the same as thatdescribed in MG. 2 with the exception that the fourth section St) isdisposed co-extensive with. the first section 40, as they are of the sa.re length. Thus the fourth section is not here used for extension but isira storage position.

As thus described it will be seen that this invention has provided aladder capable of use as an extension ladder, a step ladder, and furtheras a ladder for supporting one of its sections in horizontal position,either against or spaced from a building or the like.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that afolding scaffold ladder constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof,and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a folding scaffold and ladder, the combination which comprises afirst ladder flight having spaced parallel side rails retained in spacedrelation by spaced rungs, a second ladder flight having spaced siderails retained in spaced relation by spaced rungs, the length of thesecond flight being less than that of the first flight, hinges pivotallyconnecting one end of the second flight to an end of the first flight, athird ladder flight having spaced side rails retained in spaced relationby spaced rungs, hinges pivotally connecting said third flight to theend of the second flight opposite to the end of the second flightconnected to the first flight, the length of said third flight beingsuch that the combined length of the second and third flights is equalto that of the first flight, spaced cleats positioned on outer surfacesof the side rails of the flights and having L-shaped extended endsprojected inwardly for retaining rails of one flight upon rails ofanother flight, means for anchoring the end of said third flightopposite to the end connected to the second flight to said first flightat a point substantially midway of the length of said flight, and afourth ladder flight substantially of the same length as that of thefirst ladder flight and having spaced side rails retained in spacedrelation by spaced rungs positioned with faces of the side railsthereof, selectively, in meeting relation with faces of the side railsof the second and third flights, or in meeting relation with faces ofthe side rails of said first flight; whereby the flights of the laddermay be, selectively, in nested relation for storage and shipping, or inextended positions with the upper portion of the first flight and secondand third flights in extended relation forming a triangle, and whereinsaid fourth flight extends, selectively, from the upper end of the thirdflight, or from the lower end of the first flight.

2. A folding scaflold and ladder as described in claim 1, in which themeans for anchoring the third flight on the first flight includes a barhaving C-shaped members on the ends and wherein the C-shaped members arepositioned to hook over rungs of the flights.

3. In a folding scaffold and ladder, the combination which comprises afirst ladder flight having spaced parallel side rails retained in spacedrelation by spaced transverse rungs, a second ladder flight havingspaced side rails retained in spaced relation by spaced transverserungs, the length of the second flight being less than that of the firstflight, hinges pivotally connecting one end of the second flight to anend of the first flight, a third ladder flight also having spaced siderails retained in spaced relation by spaced transverse rungs, hingespivotally connecting said third flight to the end of the second flightopposite to the end connected to the first flight, the length of saidthird flight being such that the combined length of the second and thirdflights is equal to that of the first flight, and releasable means foranchoring that end of said third flight which is opposite to the endconnected to the second flight to said first flight at a pointsubstantially midway of the length of said first flight, whereby theflights of the ladder may be positioned, selectively, in an extendedposition with said second and third flights forming a triangle With thefirst flight upright and the second flight horizontal, or in a nestedrelation for storage and shipping with said second and third flights inalignment, and said first flight alongside and parallel to said thirdand second flights.

4. In a folding scaffold and ladder, the combination which comprises afirst ladder flight having spaced par allel side rails retained inspaced relation by spaced transverse rungs, a second ladder flighthaving spaced side rails retained in spaced relation by spacedtransverse rungs, the length of the second flight being less than thatof the first flight, hinges pivotally connecting one end of the secondflight to an end of the first flight, a third ladder flight also havingspaced side rails retailed in spaced relation by spaced transverserungs, hinges pivotally connecting said third flight to the end of thesecond flight opposite to the end connected to the first flight, thelength of said third flight being such that the combined length of thesecond and third flights is equal to that of the first flight in anested relation for storage and shipping With said second and thirdflights in alignment, and said first flight alongside and parallel tosaid first and second flights, spaced cleats positioned on the outersurfaces of the side rails of said first, second, and third flights andhaving L- shaped extended ends that project inwardly of said flights andgenerally parallel to said rungs, and a fourth ladder flight also havingside rails retained in spaced relation by spaced transverse rungs, saidfourth ladder flight being adapted to be received in selected ones ofsaid cleats, whereby said flights are adapted to assume a nestedrelationship with said second and third flights in alignment and Withsaid said first flight alongside and parallel to said second and thirdflights and with said fourth flight received in the cleats of said firstflight or of said second and third flights.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS113,273 Delrnot Apr. 4, 1871 301,726 Koch July 8, 1884 316,643 NiehausApr. 28, 1885 353,868 Koerner Dec. 7, 1886 432,869 Fry July 22, 1890442,360 Coomes Dec. 9, 1890 575,397 Hilliker Jan. 19, 1897 781,898McNaughton Feb. 7, 1905 1,284,275 Erickson Nov. 12, 1918 2,760,706 PearlAug. 28, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 139,910 Austria Dec. 27, 1934

